June 13, 2008

Talking with Carole Brody Fleet

When my hour-long
interview with “Widows Wear Stilettos” author Carole
Brody Fleet ended, I was excited to transcribe all of the juicy
details I’d gotten from our discussion. Unfortunately, due to a
technological glitch, all I could hear was the sound of my own voice
asking questions, intermittently laughing or saying, “uh-huh,”
“wow,” “that’s amazing!”

My stomach sank. I
would have to ask Carole to do the interview all over again. After
listening to my voice on the tape, I managed to recreate the
structure of our conversation on paper. I emailed it to Carole with a
humble plea: “Please, could you respond to nearly a dozen
personal questions … all over again?”

A few days later, she
sent me back the questions, complete with the same thoughtful remarks
she had offered initially. I felt instantly relieved; the piece would
still run on time. In her reply e-mail, Carole assured me she was
happy to help.

All I lost was a
sound bite. I can only imagine what it would be like to lose a
friend, loved one or husband. But if I were to lose my life partner,
I would certainly find solace in Carole’s spirit and the
project she has created to share her experience and offer help. Her
upbeat and accommodating response helped me understand why so many
women rely on “Widows Wear Stilettos” as a source of
support and encouragement.

Carole generously
communicated the essence of her message to me, as I’m sure she
does to everyone she encounters—widows especially. Her
intention is simple: to keep women who have faced loss from feeling
hopeless and purposeless. Not only is she there as a source of
support for grieving women, but she’s also created an entire
community to encourage women to stay inspired and excited about life,
even in the face of tragedy.

Carole Brody Fleet made
me promise to keep in touch. I have no doubt that if I showed up at
her doorstep, in need of a good meal and a gossip fest, she’d
offer me a chicken turnover
and some great tips on how to embrace life more fully.